With offers not exactly pouring in, Aurier wants to continue his career in England and Arsenal are now a likely shock destination.
Serge Aurier is about to stoke the fires of rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham. After terminating his contract with Tottenham, the Ivorian right-back has declared that he is open to playing for Arsenal, a move that will draw further bile between him and Spurs.
Matches between Arsenal and Tottenham are always a spectacle considering the manner both sides loathe each other. The rivalry between both clubs dates back to 1913, and if you think a wound that long should have healed, then you know nothing of football.
It is a cardinal sin for a player to cross carpet to either of the sides. Not that it hasn’t been done, but that is a sin that is rarely forgivable. Once you dorn the shirt of one team, you’re persona non grata in the other.
It has happened a few times, but not since the high profile move of Sol Campbell in 1992 from Tottenham to Arsenal has it happened. The last player to play for both clubs is Emmanuel Adebayor in 2010. Adebayor was already an enemy of the Gunners after his notorious celebrations after scoring for Manchester City against Arsenal.
William Gallas is another player that has played for both clubs and has also played for another London club, Chelsea.
Aurier’s Arsenal preference
According to Sky Sports, Aurier, now a free agent, would prefer to continue his career in England. Arsenal are one of the clubs that have been informed of his desire to remain in England.
The 28-year-old is well aware of the bile it will generate should he join Arsenal, but he is unperturbed. His past Arsenal links are well documented, with him once tweeting a picture of himself in a Gunners shirt while at Toulouse in 2013. He later deleted the post.
His chances of joining Arsenal are, however, limited as the Gunners have signed a right back. 22-year-old Japanese right back Takehiro Tomiyasu joined from Bologna on deadline day. Other options for Mikel Arteta’s side are Cedric Soares and Calum Chambers.
Early showers for Aurier
With Jose Mourinho once declaring that he was afraid of Aurier as a marker and capable of giving away a senseless penalty, it was a matter of time before the curtains fell on his Tottenham career.
The right-back joined Tottenham from PSG in 2017 for a fee of around £23 million. The Ivorian had preferred England despite offers from France, Russia and Turkey.
Last summer, Aurier wanted to leave the club and informed them of his desire, but the transfer window shut with him unable to find a suitable move. With the failure to secure a move, both parties agreed it was best he left. He had a year left on his current deal before the termination.
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